The Ultimate Ways to Lower Heating Bills Quiz

With home heating costs on the rise, it makes sense to look for ways to save money. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, our easy tips for lowering your bill will come in handy. Take our quiz and learn all about them.

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Question 1 of 10

To save energy, but still be comfortable during the night, you should turn your heating _____ before you go to bed.

down

Get into the habit of turning your heating down before you go to sleep. It saves energy and once you're under the covers you'll never notice the difference.

up

off

Question 2 of 10

In which direction should your ceiling fan operate in warm weather?

counterclockwise

In the summer, your ceiling fans should be moving counterclockwise, pushing air downward to provide a steady cool breeze.

clockwise

downward

Question 3 of 10

In which direction should your ceiling fan operate in cold weather?

counterclockwise

clockwise

During the winter, keep your ceiling fan operating at a low speed in a clockwise direction. This will take advantage of the fact that heat rises, moving hot air downward and eliminating hot and cold spots.

downward

Question 4 of 10

A fireplace can allow _____ air from your room to escape up the chimney.

humid

filtered

warm

According to the United States Department of Energy, your fireplace may be allowing as much as 24,000 cubic feet (680sqm) of warm air from inside your home to escape outside. Keep your damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.

Question 5 of 10

When you've got a fire going in you fireplace, always keep the windows:

wide open

slightly open

When you've got a fire going in your fireplace, The United States Department of Energy suggests opening the nearest window slightly, closing the doors that lead into the room and lowering the thermostat to about 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius).

To take advantage of solar heat, keep your curtains _____ during the day.

open

Keep your curtains open and let the sun shine into your room during the day. Keep them closed at night to help the room retain the heat it accumulated during the day.

closed

mostly closed

Question 8 of 10

Lowering your water temperature at home by 10 degrees will lower your energy costs by_____ percent.

3 to 5

Lower your home water temperature by 10 degrees. According to the United States Department of Energy, that should lower your energy costs by 3 to 5 percent.

5 to 7

7 to 9

Question 9 of 10

What temperature water should you use to run your dishwasher?

120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius)

130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius)

140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius)

You should use water that is heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) to run your dishwasher. Though it is recommended to lower your home water temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), if your dishwasher doesn't have its own booster heater, you won't be able to.

Question 10 of 10

What percentage of their energy bill does an average American spend on heating and cooling their home?

20 percent

50 percent

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family spends more than $2,200 a year on home energy bills, with about 50 percent of that spent on heating and cooling.